Big Rallies, Small Scuffles and Vote-Buying as Campaign's First Week

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Big Rallies, Small Scuffles and Vote-Buying as Campaign's First Week
Ends
VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
23/03/2007


Thousands of Norodom Ranariddh Party supporters rallied in Phnom Penh
Friday, while Sam Rainsy Party members tussled with market guards and
the Cambodian People's Party denied accusations of vote-buying, as the
first week of commune election campaigning came to an end.

Taxi and van drivers, meanwhile, were asked not to gouge workers
traveling home to vote April 1, and thousands of candidates from a
dozen parties continued to court the electorate.

"Long live the NRP, a party that fights corruption!" supporters
chanted in unison behind the party's election headquarters, while
leaders said authorities had done well to regulate traffic and no
violence occurred.

An estimated 6,000 people attended.

"I believe the NRP will be a party to get a majority vote because many
people support the prince and his principles," one supporter told
VOA.

The party was formed after its leader, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, was
ousted from his old party, Funcinpec, which still shares power with
the CPP.

Some onlookers Friday were Funcinpec supporters and lamented the split
in the parties.

"When I see the rallies of both parties converge, my feelings are
normal, and we should be united for national construction," Funcinpec
supporter Chan Ny said as he watched the rally.

To listen to Mony report in Khmer, click here.

Sam Rainsy Party officials said supporters at Phnom Penh's O'Russei
Market clashed with market security guards following the distribution
of party fliers late Friday.

Ten guards attacked a truck and tussled with supporters, taking their
fliers and telling them they could not distribute material near the
market, officials and supporters told VOA at the scene.

To listen to Heng Reaksmey report in Khmer, click here.

The CPP denied accusations it was buying votes with small gifts in
Kandal province, but residents told VOA they had been given cash and
sarongs.

Some said taking gifts made them afraid to vote their mind, but others
told VOA they took the gifts and would vote for whomever they wanted.

"In my family, we are three," a Kandal resident told VOA. "We got
15,000 riel and three sarongs. I accepted them because I am poor, but
when I go to the polls, I decide on my own. I cannot tell you what I'm
going to do. After I check the mark, I put [my ballot] in the box
[and] nobody can see it."

To listen to Suon Kanika report in Khmer, click here.

Taxi drivers and minivan drivers should keep their prices reasonable
in the days before the election, a leading union leader said Friday.

In an appeal to the transportation entrepreneurs, Rong Chhun,
president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, said the elections
were an important step toward change and that laborers in Phnom Penh
and other cities should be able to return to their home communes to
vote without suffering fare hikes.

To listen to Sumedh Chhim report in Khmer, click here.

Potential voters, meanwhile, attended a political debate in Takmau,
part of the National Democratic Institute's efforts to bring 31
debates to 10 provinces in the run-up to the election. Several parties
gave stump speeches that were followed by a question and answer
session.

To listen to Kong Soth report in Khmer, click here.

As Cambodians entered the eighth day of campaigning, officials from
the two emerging opposition parties told VOA they were dealing with
harassment, intimidation and threats.

Village chiefs and deputy chiefs for the Sam Rainsy Party were feeling
threatened, party Secretary-General Mu Sochua said.

"We are a victim of many threats," NRP spokesman Muth Chantha said.

A CPP official said there had been no problems, but a watchdog
official said there have been "a number of irregularities" in
campaigning so far.

To listen to Chun Sakada report in Khmer, click here.

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